New bill to address local impacts of Diablo Canyon closure

Two state lawmakers representing the Central Coast introduced a bill Friday expected to address local impacts of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant closure.

Senate Bill 1090 is intended to ensure a smooth transition for the community once the power plant closes down – by making PG&E pay San Luis Obispo County $85 million.

Back in January, the California Public Utilities Commission approved PG&E’s proposal to close Diablo Canyon Power Plant by 2025. It denied a community impact mitigation program and did not approve fully funding an employee retention program.

“Both of these programs will provide a bridge to our region as the transition to closure of Diablo Canyon moves forward,” said Democratic Senator Bill Monning.

Senator Monning and Republican Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, among others, have been working to revive those programs.

“We have an opportunity with SB 1090 to ensure a smooth transition to a post-Diablo future, SB 1090 will protect our schools, our people. It will protect our economy and will safeguard critical assets,” said Assemblyman Cunningham.

The bill would make the CPUC restore two components cut from the closure plans: $85 million for San Luis Obispo County, local cities, and schools, plus full funding for a $350 million program designed to keep PG&E workers from leaving the closing plant for other jobs.

“Without the bill students, teachers and our community will needlessly suffer,” said Dr. Eric Prater, superintendent of San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

“That retention agreement keeps quality workers to keep Diablo Canyon safe to keep it running efficiently and also to attract workers so they can run in a quality safe efficient matter until the end of its operating license,” said Robert Dean, member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Now that the bill has been introduced, there will be a series of hearings in Sacramento starting on Monday.